Every Man Will Do His Duty (35 page)

[Several passages omitted. He visits his stepmother at Brompton, and meets Mr. Loveden, the member for Shaftesbury and his father’s executor. He decides that Lady Dillon—and Brompton—are a little too dull and “out of the swim” for him: so he returns to his London hotel. Then in an ill moment for himself, he calls on Mr. Voller, “my old friend whose wife I had met in Boulogne,” only to find him recently deceased. But “Mrs. V.” insists on renewing the intimacy, and very evidently lays siege to his affections. Many of these references are erased, but it is clear that during this period he succumbed and reached an “arrangement” with the lady, whereby he was to marry her when he obtained post rank. Thereafter they spent much time in each other’s company]
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At Lord Mulgrave’s table I met many men of rank and fashion. I was seated next to Lord Palmerston, who had just commenced his political career. Sir Richard Bickerton
⁵
managed the naval affairs in Gambier’s absence. Many questions were made to me by the company when they knew that I had just returned from Verdun. Sir Richard in particular failed not in inquisitiveness, and in conclusion remarked, “You don’t appear the worse for your detention in France.” I replied that I should feel sincere regret if any friend of mine underwent the same trials I had endured. He then drew in, without any further remarks.

I next applied to Lord Keith to interpose at the Admiralty in my behalf, as it was by being the bearer of his despatches that I was detained by the enemy. His Lordship instantly replied that my case gave me a claim upon the government, and I ought to be employed without the assistance of any
influence. I next went to the Board of Agriculture, where I was informed by Mr. Arthur Young
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that Lord Carrington had been the principal means of getting me exchanged. His Lordship had rendered some very essential service to Sir Rupert George, the Chairman of the Transport Office, but that Board could do nothing in my favour until a proposal came from France. When my application arrived, requesting to be exchanged for Capt. Soleil, it was instantly granted. He advised me to lose no time in seeing his Lordship, who had been sincerely attached to my father. Mr. Young persuaded me to stay and dine with him, and the kind attentions I experienced from this gentleman and his family I can never forget.

When I went to Hampstead, I did not fail to call upon your worthy father
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and mother. Nothing could exceed the warmth of their reception. Your father more than once repeated, in terms highly gratifying to me, how much he approved of my conduct towards my father. Then, alluding to the Irish estate,
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he remarked that it had been disposed of for less than one sixteenth part of its value—not very pleasant information for me: but the deed was done, and I could not recover what was lost.

The next gentleman who expressed great anxiety to entertain me was Mr. Falconer, my friend the major’s brother. The latter’s case was certainly a hard one. He was on his way home from India, as aide de camp to General Sir David Baird. When captured by an enemy’s privateer, the major went on board the Frenchman to be answerable for his general’s person, who was allowed to remain in the Indiaman. One of our cruizers shortly afterwards recaptured the ship, and Sir David arrived safe in England. But the privateer escaped, and Falconer was sent to Verdun, where he remained many years, to the serious injury of his advancement in the Army.

Gradually I was allowed more leisure, and the sudden appearance of my old messmate Dr. Grey was a sort of relief to me, as I wanted a friend to consult. He had just left his ship, fully determined not to go to sea again. When he accompanied Capt. Brenton to England, it was understood that Grey was to go with him as his surgeon. He had done so, to the serious annoyance of his wife. Capt. Brenton, who had been appointed to the command of a fine frigate, was sent to the Mediterranean, Grey accompanying him. Brenton’s ship, while watching Toulon, was one day surrounded by several of the enemy’s frigates and nearly taken: but a gallant defence and clever maneuvers cleared him of the danger. That event shook Grey’s
nerves, and he succeeded in quitting the ship, to retire upon his half pay, to resume practice on shore, Mrs. Grey having a fair dowry.

I now demanded of the Transport Office whether they would sanction my claim for the lodging money which the government had authorized the officers of the Navy to draw whilst prisoners of war. In reply, they advised me to write to them officially for the said allowance. On that occasion Capt. Bowen,
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with whom I had sailed under Ad. Sir H. Christian, being one of the commissioners, came down and kindly told me how to act, remarking that I was fully entitled to it. I accordingly sent in my application, which they forwarded to the Admiralty. In the course of a few days I received an answer refusing the lodging money! Our government had, in the first instance, after having failed in establishing a regular cartel for the exchange of prisoners, ordered the senior naval officer at Verdun to draw for lodging money, every officer being allowed so much a day according to his rank. I as a lieutenant was allowed one shilling per diem. Consequently I had nearly five years’ payment due—upwards of £80! My application not being acknowledged gave me a shock, which I confess was not an agreeable one. I had hitherto formed such an favourable opinion of the government that I never would allow anyone to abuse its liberality. I had several times risked imbroiling myself in a duel when I heard illiberal words said against it. But now I could not help remarking that, if the French government had not prevented that lodging money’s being distributed, I should have received it. But as my official application had been refused, our government was sanctioning the oppressive act of the enemy.
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I in consequence again wrote to the Admiralty, pointing out in strong terms the injustice of the measure. But Grey urged me not to send it. “You are applying for employment,” said he. “Take care not to give offence, or they may turn their backs on you. Make your mind up to lose the money. It is a most shabby act, but you had better submit than make them your enemies.” I followed his advice, and remained silent.

From my Agent (Mr. Ommanney) I received some confidential information relating to a very fine sloop of war about to be launched, it being his opinion that if I applied I should be appointed to the command of her. I lost no time in sending in my application accordingly.

Meanwhile, I accepted an invitation from Mrs. V. to accompany her to Portsmouth, and I found myself again at that celebrated naval station. With her I visited Winchester, where I met several French officers, prisoners of
war. They were very anxious to hear my reports of Verdun, but as I could not make any flattering statements of what I had undergone there, I was not a very welcome guest. On my return to Portsmouth, I met my friend Capt. Manby, then in command of a frigate, the
Thalia.
He did all, and said all, that an officer in his position could after my unfortunate captivity, and assured me that he had represented in the strongest terms at headquarters the unjustifiable act visited upon me by the French government.

Just as we were on our return to London, Mrs. V. heard of the arrival from Sicily of the wife of the late Lord Nelson’s steward to the Bronte estate, Mrs. Graeffer. She sought her out, and offered to take her to Lady Hamilton’s at Merton. Mrs. V. had a son and daughter with her, also a niece. Therefore, instead of returning by mail, it was arranged that the hotel keeper should supply us with a private carriage that would hold six, which was to take us to Merton instead of London. We left Portsmouth that evening, and were the next morning, by 7 o’clock, at the place mentioned. From Lady Hamilton, although only partially known to her previous to my captivity, I experienced a hearty welcome. I examined all the curiosities of the gallant Nelson’s residence, and in a couple of days returned to Town,
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taking up my residence at Brompton.

Weeks passed on, but I heard nothing of an appointment, and my spirits began to feel the effects of disappointment. However, one satisfaction attended me. The change of scene from Verdun to England and the change of diet produced wonders in my health. I found my strength recovering daily. Port wine quite renovated me. But the arrival in town of Admiral Gambier, who was created a peer for the capturing of the Copenhagen fleet, was for me an event of the utmost consequence, and my hopes began to revive, as I had placed the fullest reliance upon his powerful influence in my favour. So soon as his Lordship had re-established himself in his official situation at the Admiralty, I called, and was received with all those expressions that convinced me of my possessing in him a friend. He invited me to dinner and presented me to Lady Gambier, who also let drop many words highly gratifying from such a virtuous and distinguished character. After I had dined, he desired me to renew my visits at breakfast, whenever I wanted his assistance, at the same time assuring me that he would take
care to let Lord Mulgrave know all about me. I could only await patiently the result of his Lordship’s influence in my behalf.

The year came to a close, and I was still waiting anxiously the result of his interest: and I occasionally renewed my application at the Admiralty for employment. I went to breakfast one morning with his Lordship, who received me with his usual kindness, but I could not help noticing his extreme taciturnity. Scarcely a word escaped from his lips. Therefore, conceiving that his mind was occupied with matters of more importance than my presence, I was in the act of retiring when he desired me to wait. Lady Gambier instantly withdrew. When we were alone, the following conversation ensued.

“Well, D.,” said his Lordship, “are you going to be employed?” “I hope so, my lord,” I answered, “but I know nothing as yet for certain.” “Have you seen Lord M.?” “Yes. His Lordship is kind in inviting me to dinner, but I would rather be left out of the dinner party, and be appointed to a command.” “Have you seen the private secretary?” “I have, my lord; only a few days since. His reception was so cold that I was anxious to beat my retreat.” His Lordship hesitated. “What else have you done?” he demanded. I then stated that I had drawn up a memorial which I had sent to the Board, and appealed to their Lordships for an act of justice towards me, by employing me after I had undergone so much in the cause of my country. His Lordship stopped me rather sharply. “What’s that you say? Justice, did you say?” Then, holding his right hand up in the air and snapping his fingers, said, “There’s justice for you at the Admiralty! I have two connections whom I have mentioned to Lord M. for employment. He has not as yet taken any notice of them. I have not yet seen your memorial, as I was not at the Board at that time. However. I shall take a look at it. But you can do nothing here without parliamentary interest. Where is your parliamentary interest?” “I have none, my Lord. I have lost all that I had by my father’s death. When he was alive I was in a very different position.”

His Lordship listened very patiently to all I said, but, still showing by his actions some uneasiness, he at length addressed me as follows:—“You have certainly great claims on your country. No one can deny that. I have spoken to Lord Mulgrave about you. He can not plead ignorance. What are you going to do today?” “I have nothing in view, my Lord,” was my reply. “I advise you then,” said his Lordship, “to go to the Secretary in my name, and tell him to let Lord M. know that I am interested in your welfare. I shall be here, and, if you are not satisfied, come and let me know.” I then tendered my grateful acknowledgments to his Lordship and retired.

A few minutes after 11 o’clock, I presented myself to Capt. Moorsom,
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Lord M.’s private secretary, and said, “I do not come to pester you on my own account. I am sent here by Lord Gambier.” The instant I mentioned his Lordship’s name, the secretary became quite an altered person. He rose from his seat with an anxiety that I could not help noticing, and requested me to take a chair. “I am directed by his Lordship,” I said, “to call upon you and request you to explain to Lord M. his Lordship’s anxiety to see me employed. Should the First Lord wish to know more about me, Lord G. is ready to answer any questions in my behalf.” Capt. Moorsom opened a large book lying on his table: then, running his finger across the page, said, “By this report you are the first for employment. But the ship you have applied for is not yet ready.” I could only reply that the friend who had confidentially advised me to ask for that ship intimated that she would be ready in the course of a few days; that upwards of three months had passed, and my not hearing of anything made me conclude that I was forgotten. “Moreover,” said I, “younger officers than I, who have not seen half of the service that I have, are receiving appointments every day. Such a trial can not well be endured.” The secretary could not say when that ship would be ready It was therefore settled between us that he was to deliver Lord Gambler’s message to the First Lord, and that I was ready to accept any other appointment which might be selected for me.

Returning to my hotel, where I had again taken up my quarters, I found an invitation from Lady Hamilton, requesting me to pass a few days at Merton, which I willingly accepted. I soon reached Lady Hamilton’s, where I passed nearly a week most agreeably. Upon my return to Town, my landlord acquainted me that Capt. Moorsom had called for me the day after I had left town. I hastened to the Admiralty, it being the 18th of the month, the Queen’s birthday. I was instantly received by Capt. Moorsom, who acquainted me that Lord M. had offered me the refusal of the
Childers,
brig of war.

When that vessel’s name was mentioned, a sort of horror overcame me. “What,” said I, “you don’t mean the old
Childers
that used to run alongside of Lord Howe’s ship last war, and take charge of the dispatches?” “Yes,” was his reply. “Oh no,” I rejoined, “I cannot accept that old worn-out craft. Only recollect, Capt. Moorsom, I am three years a commander, and am in every sense entitled to something better than that!” Much hurt at such an offer, I was in the act of retiring, having opened the door and made my bow, when the secretary called me to him. “Now, Capt. D., pause well,” said he. “Recollect the interest that has been exerted for you. You have
declared that you were prepared to take any command at a moment’s notice, and proceed to any part of the world. Here is a vessel full manned and ready for sea. You have only to put yourself into a post chaise, take the command, and God knows what may happen in the next 24 hours!” Those words produced their effect. I acknowledged that I had been rather taken aback when I heard the name of the old
Childers,
but that I had recovered from the shock, and would accept the command of her. “You have no time to lose,” he replied. “Capt. Innes,
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who now commands her, is not in very good health. He has applied to be superseded, and Lord M. has pitched upon you to relieve him.” In a few more words I agreed to leave town that night: then, thanking the secretary for his advice, requested him to tender my acknowledgments to Lord Mulgrave for the appointment.